What are the common primer and probe chemistries utilized for qPCR assays?
The types of probes utilized for qPCR fall into two classes, those that are not sequence-specific, and those that are sequence-specific. The most popular non-sequence-specific probe chemistry is SYBR Green, which binds to the minor groove of double-stranded DNA, and fluoresces 1000-fold more efficiently when bound, than when free in solution. It is the most cost-effective, and convenient chemistry for qPCR. Historically, researchers have worried that SYBR Green chemistry would show inferior specificity, when compared to the sequence-specific probe chemistries. SABiosciences has eliminated that concern, through the development of complementary SYBR Green-based RT² qPCR Master Mixes and RT² qPCR Primer Assays, which are available for any gene in the human, mouse, or rat genome. The sequence-specific qPCR probe chemistries fall into two classes. The bimolecular probes consist of a dual-labeled probe used in combination with flanking forward and reverse primers. The TaqMan and Molecular Be
